Gratitude Farms
Gratitude Farms, in East Bethel, Minnesota, is run by Mark and Tammy Gimpl and began as a dog-breeding operation around 2008. Its South African Boerboel breeding was an early, limited chapter (roughly 2008 to 2011); the operation later shifted to Cane Corsos and other breeds and now functions primarily as a dog rescue, rehoming, and municipal animal-control service rather than a Boerboel breeding program. Independent records document several disputes over the years, including a 2011 South African Boerboel puppy deposit that a buyer reported was never refunded, which the owner publicly contested. FOX 9 reported on February 7, 2025 that the Anoka County Sheriff's Office had executed a search warrant in a dispute over dogs surrendered to Gimpl's shelter following alleged abuse elsewhere. Gimpl said the dogs had gone to a rescuer and expressed concern about euthanasia. In May 2025 the City of East Bethel revoked a horse-related interim use permit. ABC Newspapers reported on July 18, 2025 that the city had revoked the farm's animal-control permit on July 14 and that Gimpl faced theft and obstruction-of-legal-process charges over the custody dispute. No court outcome is confirmed in the cited report; charges are not convictions. No active South African Boerboel breeding was found; the kennel's most recent public activity consists of dog-food sales and dog-rehoming posts on its Facebook page in mid-2026.
Connect online
Links checked 3/26/2026